About Dodge

From Humble Beginnings: The History of Dodge

Brothers John and Horace Dodge founded the Dodge Brothers Inc in 1914, after building engines for Henry Ford. The Dodge Brothers Inc was the first automobile manufacturer to mass-produce an all-steel touring car, which was used by General John J. Pershing during the 1916 Mexican Border campaign against Pancho Villa. More than 45,000 Dodge cars were built and sold in 1915, making Dodge the second-best selling car in America. Dodge cars and pickup trucks earned a reputation for its value, reliability, and durability.

A Solid Reputation: Dodge Model 30

The Dodge Model 30 was the first mass-produced car to sport a new 212-cubic inch four-cylinder engine. It also sported a rigid and durable, all-steel body construction versus the standard wood-framed automobiles. Dodge also included features like the 12-volt electrical system, sliding gear transmission, and a 35 horsepower engine. Lt. George S. Patton used the Dodge Model 30 to raid a ranch house in San Miguelito, Sonora during the Pancho Villa Expedition. In 1925, Dodge was able to manufacture and sell a million cars.

Proven Reliability: Pick Up Trucks

With the success of their cars, the Dodge Brothers thought of expanding to other car manufacturing areas and trucks seemed to be a great start. They first introduced light and medium-duty models which were based on their passenger car's body. As time went by, Dodge's trucks gained their own chassis and body designs. The four-wheeled drive trucks came out after World War II and the very first 4WD truck was the Power Wagon. Dodge also incorporated car-like features to its trucks like an "adventure package" in the 1960s and a "sedan-like space" in itsClub Cub of the 1970s.

A Durable Future: The Dodge Dart

In an era where the compact car is slowly become king, Dodge enters the arena with its Dart. Built from the same platform as the Alfa Romeo Giulleta, the Dart is packed with innovative features like a Thin Film Transistor orTFT instrument cluster, a MultiAir Turbo Engine Technology, Dual Dry Clutch Transmission or DDCT, and Active Grille Shutters. Dodge engineers went back to their roots and followed John and Horace's legacy to not just create but to also innovate. The Dart was born out of Dodge's innovative techniques and technologies.